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Posted on: November 12, 2015

Council Briefs for November 9, 2015

Council Briefs, Monday, November 9, 2015

To facilitate snow clearing and removal, Council approved a one-year trial of winter parking regulations in downtown Banff. On-street parking is prohibited between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. on designated streets of Lynx, Bear and Banff from Buffalo to Wolf, and Wolf and Caribou streets from Banff Avenue to Lynx. The regulations do not apply to surface parking lots and parkades. The trial will begin as soon as possible this month and run until May 1. A public education program will be implemented instead of enforcement during the trial.

Council received an overview of summer traffic management and data collection. Overall, the actions implemented, combined with stakeholder collaboration and enhanced communications, had a positive effect on summer traffic conditions. The traffic count has increased by 9% to date (Sept. 30) over 2014 (both entrances, both directions, 24-hour period), to 4.73 million vehicles. Travel time delays decreased. Ridership on Roam route 1 increased 29% and on all routes by 18% in July and August. Parking occupancy data collected the first week of August showed that despite a traffic count increase of 12% over the same week in 2014, average vehicles parked per day decreased by 10%. The parking shortfall overall decreased from 80 to 1. This indicates a shift to alternative modes of transportation by residents and visitors. The report also includes data counts for Mountain Avenue and pedestrian traffic and is posted to banff.ca under major projects.

Council authorized that the upgrade to the heating and ventilation system at 101 Bear Street be undertaken at the same time as the approved renovations and upgrades for programming for an additional expenditure of $96,500, funded from the General Capital Reserve. Investigation showed that the current system does not comply with the current heating and ventilation standards used by the Alberta Building Code. Administration requested the approval ahead of budget deliberations so that the work can be scheduled during a traditionally slow time at the facility to minimize the impact on users.

Council gave first reading to Loan Guarantee bylaw for Rocky Mountain Housing Cooperative. The bylaw will be advertised as per the Municipal Government Act regulations prior to passing second and third readings.

Council waived the rental fees for The Fenlands recreation centre for the Banff Heritage Tourism to host a Winter Welcome event. The welcome is for new employees to Banff and will be held November 30.

The Banff Canmore Community Foundation presented an update to council. Council suggested the foundation contact the town’s destination event coordinator regarding any plans for 2017 celebrations (Canada’s 150th birthday).

Service Level reviews (Finance and Governance committee) begin Monday, November 16 and the next council meeting is Monday, November 23 at 2 p.m.